Most Recent Bulletins

On July 4, CUPW and the employer signed a Memorandum of Agreement to establish a committee to review the work content and workload of RSMCs. We need three (3) union representatives on this committee. Its mandate will be to determine and assess the RSMC work content and workload, allowing both parties to have informed discussions on future pay arrangements.

It is now official; Canadians will choose their new federal representatives and next government on October 21, 2019. CUPW has been preparing for weeks to make sure our voice is heard, and that candidates and parties address the postal issues that matter to the public during this important democratic process.

Sisters and Brothers: The federal government, through Employment and Social Development Canada, announced changes to Part III of the Canada Labour Code (CLC). Among other things, these changes deal with flexible work arrangements and personal leave, extended bereavement leave, leave to support victims of family violence, leave for traditional indigenous practices, the right to refuse overtime to carry out family responsibilities and a thirty (30) minute break for every five consecutive hours of work.

We are coming up to the final phase of the wage adjustment for Pay Equity. As of now, we are on course for the payment to be released sometime in October. Phase 3 payment will include payments for Rest Period Allowance, PCIs and Admail. RSMCs will also see adjustments on their Schedule A for activity values for PCIs and Lock Changes.

After a brief break, due to scheduling conflicts of all parties involved, the interest arbitration resumed on August 20, 2019 and continued for four consecutive days. Canada Post began with a lengthy opening statement and then began presenting its evidence.

On June 17, 2019, the Canadian government declared a climate emergency, passing a motion through parliament calling climate change a “real and urgent crisis, driven by human activity.”
This doesn’t shock us. We already know that our country is warming up twice as fast as the rest of the world and that it is becoming increasingly difficult for our planet to breathe.

Canada Post and its bargaining agents recognize that the postal service built to serve all Canadians also has a considerable environmental impact. Together, they acknowledge a shared interest and responsibility to reduce Canada Post’s environmental footprint. In April 2019, Canada Post, the Association of Postal Officials of Canada, the Canadian Postmasters and Assistants Association, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, and the Union of Postal Communications Employees formally initiated a collaborative effort focused on the environment.

Ahead of historic vote, employer threatens and intimidates couriers

CUPW is looking for coordinators in the Pacific and Quebec Region to carry out union work around the upcoming 2019 federal elections. The coordinator positions are open to MIGS only. From now until late October, the Union will be working with thousands of organizations and individuals to protect and expand postal services. It will place particular focus on concrete actions the postal service can take in the fight against climate change. The coordinators will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of CUPW’s plan.

As mentioned in the previous bulletin, some issues were resolved and language was signed. These changes will be implemented prior to the new collective agreement. The following are more details about these changes.

CPC has informed the Union that Great-West Life will be the benefit provider for the Extended Health Care Plan (EHCP), the Vision and Hearing Plan (V&H), the Dental Plan and the Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD).

We have signed two memorandums of agreement (MOA) with Canada Post that define the timelines to implement the language that has been agreed to and signed during this round of negotiations. We also signed a MOA that will update all expiry dates in the Urban collective agreement to the date of signing of the new collective agreement.

Union Completes Evidence - Day 20 started with the cross examination of Nancy Beauchamp, Chief Negotiator RSMC. She reaffirmed the reasons why we must have language, in the collective agreement, to maintain Pay Equity.

In the current round of negotiations, the parties (CUPW and CPC) agreed to create a new classification in Group 3 (VHE-10 Full-Service Vehicle Mechanic) and to form a committee to study and implement changes in an effort to streamline the roles in Groups 3 and 4. The committee will begin its work as soon as possible and any changes, if agreed upon, will be implemented during the life of the new collective agreement.

On Day 18, Cathy Kennedy, member of the negotiating committee, testified to our demands to increase the amount of injury on duty pay for both bargaining units and to have RSMCs who are injured at work be paid directly by Canada Post. This would give RSMCs equality with Urban.

Recently I attended the Canada Post Annual General Meeting held in St. John’s NL. Also attending was Nancy Beauchamp, CUPW National Director for Montreal, several representatives from the CUPW Atlantic Regional Office and members and executive officers from the St. John’s local. The meeting was chaired by Susan Margles, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs. Both CPC President Doug Ettinger and Chief Financial Officer Wayne Cheeseman addressed several issues of importance to CUPW members. Here are some of the issues they raised.

Pride month is here! While it is a celebration, Pride is also a political rally and a march to claim public space that cannot be taken for granted. On one hand we have seen progress over the past few decades since Pride marches began – the struggle gets results! On the other hand, violence and injustices persist and there is much for LGBTQ activists and allies yet to achieve.

On Day 15, Toni MacAfee – Atlantic Regional Education and Organization Officer testified about negative, non-medical comments that Canada Post management was telling Great-West Life/Morneau Shepell Case Managers to enter in employees’ STDP files. After that, Geoff Bickerton – Director of Research testified on the history of Group 1 staffing and how we have fought for many years to maximize full-time employment and how important this issue is to us.

Deadline to Apply: June 24, 2019 - CUPW is looking for coordinators to carry out union work around the upcoming 2019 federal elections. The coordinator positions are open to MIGS only. From now until late October, the Union will be working with thousands of organizations and individuals to protect and expand postal services. It will place particular focus on concrete actions the postal service can take in the fight against climate change. The coordinators will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of CUPW’s plan.